Lakeland Christian Academy Online Course Handbook

Transcription

1 Technology Requirements: General Information: Lakeland Christian Academy Online Course Handbook * American Online (AOL or AIM addresses) and Netscape do not work with your online courses and cannot be used. No course mail messages or other system generated s can be forwarded to AOL, AIM or Netscape. * Windows 2000 is not supported and cannot be used * Hardware support is not provided All users are required to have, at a minimum, the computer requirements listed below to successfully work within the online environment. Whether they use a PC or Macintosh, a user s computer must meet or exceed the following specifications. LCA does not provide these items. PC (Windows): - Pentium II processor (233MHz minimum, higher recommended) - At least Windows XP operating system (Windows 2000 or older is not supported) MB RAM - 12x CD-Rom drive - Broadband Internet access > 1.5mbps - Monitor display setting 1024x768 - Printer - Backup/save method (CD-Rom, flash drive) - Microsoft Office software (or compatible must be able to open.ppt,.doc,.rtf files types) - Web browser At least Explorer v7, or Firefox 3.0 (Explorer v6 and older and Safari are not supported they will not work in the course environment) - At least Flash Player 9 & Shockwave 11 Macintosh: For any Mac computer to work with the course system the below requirements are needed along with the Microsoft 7 version for Macs. - At least Power Mac G3 processor - OS 10.4 (Tiger) operating system or later MB RAM - 12x CD-Rom drive - Broadband Internet access > 1.5mbps - Monitor display setting 1024x768 - Printer - Backup/save method (CD-Rom, flash drive) - Microsoft Office (for Macintosh) software (or compatible must be able to open.ppt,.doc,.rtf files types) - Web browser Firefox 3.0 or later (Safari is not supported it will not work in the course environment) - Flash Player 9 & Shockwave 11

2 General Requirements: Modern browser (IE9, Chrome, Safari, or Firefox) An internet connection at least 1.5Mbps or faster (test Internet speed) Recommended Software: Windows Media Player 10 Series or higher Adobe Shockwave Player Adobe Flash Player Adobe Acrobat Reader Recommended Hardware: Speakers or headphones Microphone ANGEL System Requirements: Sevenstar primarily utilizes the Angel Learning Management System, which is owned by Blackboard. This system has unique setup requirements that allow students to work more efficiently and with less system errors. Both teachers and students should make sure they pass ANGEL system checks to work smoothly with the ANGEL system. If requirements change, we will send alerts via system banners in Angel and update this page. Windows Client Configurations Internet Explorer 9 Internet Explorer 8 Firefox (Final Release Channel)* Firefox 3.6 Google Chrome (Stable Channel)** Windows XP (32- bit) Unsupported Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Windows Vista (32-bit) Certified Compatible Certified Compatible Compatible Windows Vista (64-bit) Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Windows 7 (32- bit) Certified Compatible Certified Compatible Certified Windows 7 (64- bit) Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible

3 Mac OSX Client Configurations Safari 5.0 Safari 4.0 Firefox (Final Release Channel)* Firefox 3.6 Google Chrome (Stable Channel)** Mac OSX 10.5 "Leopard" Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Mac OSX 10.6 "Snow Leopard" Certified Compatible Certified Compatible Certified *The Firefox Release Channel is the fully tested version by Mozilla and intended to be the most stable. This channel is updated roughly every 6 weeks. For further detail on Firefox, please review the material available at **The Chrome Stable Channel is the fully tested version by Google and intended to be the most stable as the name implies. This channel is updated roughly every 2-3 weeks for minor releases and 6 weeks for major releases. For further detail on Chrome, please review the material available at Technologies Not Supported The following technologies are not supported, though they may have been supported in previous versions of Blackboard ANGEL: Internet Explorer 6, 7 Firefox 1.x, 2.0, 3.0 and 3.5 Safari 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2 and any version on Windows Mac OSX 10.3, 10.4 "Tiger" Java 5, although it may continue to work Refund Policy Due to the flexibility of the online classes and the fact that we pay for course costs upon enrollment there is no refund. Student Course Progress Students are responsible for continuous communication and progress to be successful in an online course. For each course the instructor will outline the weekly work requirements through the use of pace charts. Students will use these charts to schedule their study time. Students are responsible for adhering to due dates and completing class assignments on time. Students may work ahead of the pace originally projected on the pace charts. Regular contact between student and instructor is key to a successful online experience. To ensure that our students are aware of this commitment, the process outlined below will be followed: Students who are consistently behind pace or do not log-in frequently enough to maintain expected pace will be notified.

4 Students who continue to fall behind pace or not log-in may be dropped from the course. It is the responsibility of the student to understand each instructor s drop policy. LCA will support the online instructor in the enforcement of the drop policy. Students who are dropped from a course will not receive a refund for the course. Re-enrollment in a course will be on a case-by-case basis and will incur a $100 re-enrollment fee. Reenrollment is not guaranteed for any student. It is the responsibility of the student to understand each instructor s policies. These include, but not limited to: attendance, late work, make-up work, communication. LCA will support the policies of the instructor. Course Extension Students may request a course extension under certain circumstances. Course extension requests should be e- mailed to kbourdon@lakelandbaptist.org at least 2 weeks prior to original end date of the course. After the request is received, a conference will be scheduled to determine if a course extension will be granted and the length of the extension. Students will be responsible for all fees incurred by the course extension. The course extension will not be effective until the fees are paid. Grading Scale The grading scale for online courses may differ from traditional classroom grading scales. It is the student s responsibility to understand the instructor s grading scale Pace All courses are either one or two semesters long. Students may choose to complete their course using one of two tracks: Traditional Pace (16-18 weeks per semester) or Accelerated Pace (6-10 weeks per semester) Academic Honesty and Integrity Academic honesty and integrity is vital to any student s education and spiritual development. Online learning environments depend on students to give an honest depiction of their ability and mastery of the material presented to them in each course. Parental supervision is vital to this process. Students are expected to maintain the highest levels of academic integrity and to adhere to individual course policies regarding academic honesty and integrity. If a student s academic honesty or integrity is questioned, parents will be contacted for a formal conference. Students will be subject to LCA disciplinary procedures as well as the disciplinary procedures of the online instructor.

5 Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is defined as: committing literary theft; to present as new or original the idea, thought or product derived from an existing source. Examples of plagiarism are, but are not limited to: Copying from internet, book or someone else Getting someone else to write a paper for you Working with someone on an assignment that is meant for the individual Changing or rearranging another s words Purchasing or downloading papers from the internet Plagiarism may result in a failing grade for the assignment or course, suspension, or expulsion. Testing LCA will require that major exams for online courses be taken on campus with a proctor. The student is responsible for scheduling an exam time with LCA. Students who are not within driving distance of LCA can request alternate arrangements from LCA. Technology Acceptable Use Policy The use of technology is vital to becoming a productive, contributing member of today s society. There are many quality online resources available for students and teachers. However, such resources need to be used wisely, with Biblical discernment, and within the moral guidelines based in the Word of God. Acceptable Use of the Internet Policy Students will access the Internet to complete online courses and as an educational aid for traditional courses. Students and families must be aware that some material accessible via the Internet will contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or offensive. In addition, it is possible to purchase certain goods and services via the Internet that could result in financial obligations for which a student s parent or guardian would be liable. LCA believes that the parent is the primary teacher concerning Internet resources and the protection of their student. Parents should lay out guidelines for what is acceptable for internet usage in their homes. LCA will lay out guidelines for what is acceptable for internet usage on the school campus. Outside of the student s school, it is the family s responsibility to guide Internet use, just as they do with other media sources. Terms and Conditions of Student Use Network Etiquette Network users are required to observe the following network etiquette (netiquette):

6 1. Use appropriate language: swearing, vulgarity, ethnic or racial slurs and any other inflammatory language are prohibited. 2. Pretending to be someone else when sending/receiving messages is prohibited. 3. Submitting, publishing or displaying any defamatory, inaccurate, racially offensive, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually-oriented, or threatening materials or messages either public or private. 4. Revealing such personal information as addresses or phone numbers of users or others is prohibited. 5. Using the network in such a way that would disrupt the use of the network by other users is prohibited. 6. Be polite. For example, messages typed in capital letters are the computer equivalent of shouting and are considered rude. Security and Violations Access to electronic resources is intended for the exclusive use of its authorized users. Any problems that arise from the misuse of an account are the responsibility of the account holder. This may include, but is not limited to: - Trespassing in another s work or files - Giving out any password - Attempting to login to another user s account - Failing to notify the supervising staff member of a security problem - Disrupting the network intentionally - Using the Internet inappropriately - Playing recreational games during time you are expected to be doing academic work. Consequences of Violations Policy or rule violations may result in loss of access to courseware or possible dismissal from the program. LCA may monitor any users program-provided access to the courseware to ensure appropriate use. Such monitoring may include (but is not limited to) monitoring of web sites visited, chat room conversations, and contents. Disciplinary action may be determined in keeping with existing procedures regarding inappropriate language or behavior. When and where applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved. Disclaimer LCA and Sevenstar (curriculum provider) make no warranties of any kind, neither expressed nor implied, for the Internet access it is providing. The program will not be responsible for any damages users suffer, including but not limited to loss of data resulting from delays or interruptions in service. LCA and Sevenstar will not be responsible for the accuracy, nature, or quality of information stored on academy servers; nor for the accuracy, nature, or quality of information gathered through academy-provided Internet access. The academy will not be responsible for personal property used to access academy computers or networks or for academy-provided Internet access. The academy will not be responsible for unauthorized financial obligations resulting from academy-provided access to the Internet. Enrollment in a course by a parent constitutes acceptance of this policy and the parent responsibilities. Textbooks and Supplies for Online Courses Some courses may require additional materials not provided by LCA. When you gain entrance to the class, please access the Course information link and then click on Course Materials to confirm what may be needed. Students enrolled in online AP courses will be responsible for the purchase of their textbook (if required).

7 Student Support The student orientation course directs students to address all support issues first to the teacher. It is important that the teachers always know what is going in the academic life of students and know any problems they may face with the environment. When a student reports a problem within the course (broken link, page error, missing content, etc) teachers research that complaint and determine the extent of a problem. They may then give instructions about moving forward in the course or waiting for a resolution from support (whichever is appropriate). Students have their own direct interface with support through the Support tab in each course to report problems they find. Students are encouraged to work with the teacher (or parent) to effectively communicate the problems they have discovered. In the Support tab (located at the top of each course), you notice a section for Student Resources. In this section, you find the link to the support form. Students have the ability to describe the problem they encountered and submit that issue directly to the support team. Students receive an automated message immediately to confirm that their support ticket has been received. The normal resolution time for issues within a course is 24 hours. If the problem you encounter is anticipated to take longer than 24 hours, a support team representative will make that clear and give you an estimated time of resolution. Cases that you feel have not received sufficient attention or communication; escalate the issue to the support team leader by ing tech.support@sevenstaracademy.org. Final Grades and Transcripts Upon competition of an online course, the student receives their final grade and is issued a transcript for the course. These grade will be transferred to the student s permanent LCA transcript.